Sony didn't bother to have too much of a presence for After Earth at Comic-Con, but they didn't shut us out completely. I skipped their meager panel, but from what I heard it was a pretty good introduction to the alternate history timeline dreamed up by M. Night Shymalan, co-writer Gary Whitta(The Book of Eli), and star Will Smith. They then followed that up with this nifty little promo video, that walks us through a Facebook timeline leading up the heavy sci-fi story's events. Yes, in the future, Facebook still rules. And they apparently don't care we all think "timeline" sucks ass....
So basically everything revolves around the Raige clan, who are this influential family of soldiers. The film is set 1000 years after cataclysmic events have forced humanity off-planet and to Nova Prime. Will Smith plays the legendary General Cypher Raige, who returns home from an extended tour of duty and back with his estranged family. In particular he wants to be a father to his 13-year old son, Kitai, played by Jaden Smith. When an asteroid storm destroys their craft, they crash land on an Earth that is now dangerous and unfamiliar. With Cypher dying, Kitai must trek the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon, and prove he can be a soldier just like his father.
Ok, so their names sound like something out of Dragonball Z, but this still seems like a pretty cool flick. The Last Airbender and The Happening not withstanding, he's a better director than many give him credit for. He's basically a victim of his own success, and people couldn't wait to jump on him once he stumbled. Making a surefire blockbuster with Will Smith is a good way to win people over again. After Earth opens on June 7th 2013. [Bleeding Cool]
